U.S. Attorney George Beck addresses the recipients of the grant money at a press conference on Aug. 9, 2012, in Montgomery (Amber Acker/al.com)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- More than 5 million dollars in grant money was awarded by the Justice Department to several agencies and cities in central Alabama today to help fund crime prevention and control.

Among the agencies to receive a portion of the grant money are the cities of Montgomery, Auburn, Alexander City, Phenix City and Tuskegee. In addition, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center were also given shares of the grant.

"We must make sure our law enforcement officers have all the tools necessary," said U.S. Attorney George Beck.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division accepted the largest grant of $3,365,270, which will be used to support the drug and violent crime task forces across Alabama. In addition, ADECA received an additional grant of $421,875 to aid in improving the juvenile justice system.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will use their portion of the grant, $1,116,829, to update their DNA equipment.

$70,000 was given to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center to create internet tools and publications that will assist officers in fighting crime.

The city of Montgomery was awarded $83,346, which will purchase waist chains, traffic vests, handcuffs and additional equipment.

Auburn intends to purchase radar units and other equipment with the $34,992 grant they received.

Alexander City obtained $12,905 to buy shotgun racks, wearable cameras and other accessories that will assist in preventing crime.

Officials said $13,591 was given to Phenix City to purchase various fitness and training machines while $13,918 was awarded to the city of Tuskegee to update equipment.